What sacred instinct did inspire
My soul in childhood with a hope so strong?
What secret force moved my desire,
To expect my joys beyond the seas, so young?
Felicity I knew
Was out of view
And being here alone,
I saw that happiness was gone
From me! For this
I thirsted absent bliss,
And thought that sure beyond the seas,
Or else in something near at hand
I knew not yet, (since nought did please
I knew,) my bliss did stand.
4
But little did the Infant dream
That all the treasures of the World were by:
And that himself was so the cream
And crown of all, which round about did lie:
Yet thus it was. The gem,
The diadem,
The ring enclosing all
That stood upon this earthly ball;
The heavenly eye,
Much wider than the sky,
Wherein they all included were
The glorious soul that was the king
Made to possess them, did appear
A small and little thing!